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“As big as your car?” she whispers, her face pressing close to his. He laughs at her overbearing excitement.
“Maybe.”
“Come in,” I say to him and lead the way, coming face-to-face with my mother’s annoyance and Marcus’s distrust.
“Can I have a word, Holly?” My mother purses her lips, looking Cameron up and down.
“Not really. It’s Beau’s birthday. Today is about her,” I say and see her eyes narrow. “SURPRISE!” I beam, and Cam carries Beau in. She’s soon wiggling free when she sees the decorations, cake and presents.
“It’s a unicake!” she squeals, running at it, and both Cam and I move quickly, suspecting a mess is about to occur.
“How cosy,” my mother sneers. Marcus hums his agreement and knowing Cameron is on child watch, I walk over to them with anger brimming below the surface.
As quietly as I can, I glare at them. “It is my daughter’s birthday. You will not cause a scene, and if you cannot accept that Cameron is here as afriend,then leave. This is about Beau, no one else.” My eyes well up. Marcus’s eyes flare with guilt, andhe moves to pull me into a hug. I hiss tearfully at my mother. “He made her a damn playhouse and he is moving away tomorrow. He came to say goodbye to her.”
“Leaving?” Her keen stare is over my shoulder, as she’s asking him directly.
“Cornwall,” he says, and I turn to look at him. “I came to give my gift, then I'm heading out. I don't want to intrude.” He gives them a polite smile, and although I can appreciate their suspicion with him after everything that happened with me, they don’t know the truth. And that's my fault, not his. I’ll update them this week. I'm not doing it now. I'm simply grateful he isn't moving abroad. “Ready to see your big present?” Cam drops down to Beau’s level and winks at her.
“Yes!”
He walks her to the door, then covers her eyes. “It's a surprise so you can’t see until the last minute.” My little girl nods. So trusting. I’d been the same. The gentleness I see when he is around Beau is what he used to grace me with. Once outside, he walks her into the middle of the garden.
Beau giggles. Quickly, I turn to Marcus and ask him to film her reaction. Begrudgingly, he gets his phone out, and Cam nods. I give him the all-clear and he whips his hands away.
Silence.
I move to bend and look at Beau. She is staring wide-eyed at the playhouse. Her eyes are as big and as glittery as stars. Cameron kneels down. “Happy birthday, Beau.” His voice quivers, and I bite my lip to stop my own tears from splashing my cheeks. Slowly, she turns her head, and they stare at one another. My heart thuds painfully, and there is no mistaking the connection we all share. Beau may never have known Cameron all those years ago, but we are all fused together in a way I could never expect anyone to understand.
She has never been attached to anyone like this.
“I don't want you to go!” she wails. Cameron’s panicked eyes meet mine. Oh no! I rush to comfort her, but he envelops her as she grabs his collar fiercely.
As she hiccups, he picks my daughter up and holds her tightly. “I’ll still see you, boo. Me and you will always be friends.”
“Because you're my Cam?” she asks on a sniffle.
“Yes, I'm your Cam, baby girl. And I love you lots, okay.” His face dips into her little neck, hiding the unshed tears I briefly noticed.
This is killing him. Why is he going? Why can’t we try?
Aren’t we worth fighting for?
Does he hate me that much? My head is a mess, but I hold back my tears for Beau.
“And Mummy?” Beau cries.
I can’t watch. I make a small but painful sound. Cam’s head snaps up, and he gives me a sad smile.
“I really need to go, baby girl. But you can write to me, send pictures. I’d love to hear what you and Grace have been up to,” he suggests, wiping her damp face. “I want to hear all about your adventures in your new playhouse, okay.” His big thumb scoops under my little girl's eyes and Beau nods at him.
“What do you say to Cam for your present, Beau?” My voice is shaky and I'm barely talking. I'm trying to hurry this along. Not only will guests be arriving soon, but Beau and I are both emotional wrecks.
“Thank you.” She smiles the brightest I have seen in a long time.
“No problem, boo.” He pecks her cheek and puts her down. “I’ve got to go now.” He nods and Beau’s eyes flash with worry, but she soon copies his nodding when he winks at her. “Good girl.”
He walks over to me and pulls me to his chest. I choke out a sob and his lips press roughly against my hairline. Closing myeyes, I soak in every sensation, the feel of his arms, the calming heat of his body, his soft but firm lips in my hair. His smell. I inhale it like it’s my last lungful of air. “Goodbye, gorgeous.” He barely finishes, his voice breaking. He lets me go suddenly. “Ms Matthews, it's a pleasure to meet you. Marcus, nice to see you again.”
